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Monday, November 9, 2015

My Andros Island Bucket List

Guess what? Before you know it, winter will be here! Did you hear that ominous music just then? Winter around these parts is loooong. Come fall, I start dreaming about an escape. I have been doing some research and I think I have found just the place to retreat to in winter (or right now for that matter).

It's called Andros Island in the beautiful Bahamas and it's an actual paradise right here on Earth. Andros is the largest of the Bahamian islands (at 2,300 square miles), yet it is also the most sparsely developed. That makes for an abundance of natural beauty, perfect for nature lovers. This island gem boasts the third-largest fringing barrier reef in the world. It is home to miles of deserted beaches and freshwater lakes with countless species of wildlife, marine life, flora and fauna.

With all the activities that you could take part in on Andros Island, I have narrowed it down to just five.

My Andros Island Bucket List

1. Dive the Blue Holes

Some inland and others submerged in the sea, Andros Island has the highest concentration of blue holes in the world. These picturesque wonders were created over several ice ages, when sea levels were 400 feet lower and The Bahamas was an exposed limestone platform. How cool would it be to dive into these babies? You can see unique cave fish and invertebrates, some of which aren't found anywhere else on Earth.

2. Explore the Andros Barrier Reef

Divers and snorkelers in the know visit Andros to experience the beauty of its reefs. Located in one of the least populated areas in The Bahamas, the reef is 190 miles long. On the island side, the reef is in shallow water, while it plunges to over 6,000 feet in the Tongue of the Ocean, the deep trench that separates Andros and New Providence. The Andros Barrier Reef is unique for its size and lux coral growth.

3. Visit National Parks

The Andros Park System includes five national parks, among them Blue Holes National Park, over 33,000 acres of protected blue holes, freshwater reservoirs, as well as pine and coppice forests. Established in 2002, the 4,000-acre Crab Replenishment Reserve ensures a growing crab population. The North and South Marine Parks help to preserve significant parts of the barrier reef. The West Side National Park is a vast area of coastal mangrove habitat that nurtures conch, lobster and fish. It is home to the endangered Andros Rock Iguana and many bird species.

4. Take An Eco-Tour

Andros Island is the destination for ecotourism - it is home to many complex and pristine ecosystems on land and underwater. Guided eco-tours promise to uncover rare sights that we might not discover on our own, like the Andros Iguana and some of the 120+ resident and migratory bird species. The western side of the island is where countless marine and wildlife species are born. Get back to nature and explore some of the hundreds of miles of creeks and wetlands. Spot 20 varieties of wild orchids and maybe a few land crabs in limestone crevasses.

5. Hit the Beach (duh!)

This is certainly a last but not least scenario. Sitting on my butt on the beach, soaking up the sun and staring at crystal clear waters is pretty much how I would like to spend 80 per cent of my time on Andros Island. Choose from a number of pristine beaches, like Long Bay Cays Beach, a 9-mile long white sandy beach that stretches from Long Bay Cays to The Bluff. Mangrove Cay Beach is a favourite with visitors and locals who love the powdery white sands. I can feel it in my toes right now.

Getting There

Don't spend your vacation waiting around for airport connections. The Islands of The Bahamas are super close - you can get a non-stop flight to Nassau, Grand Bahama Island or Exuma from many Canadian cities. (It's just a 3-hour flight from Toronto!) If you are moving on from there, you can catch same-day connections to many other Bahamian islands from Nassau.

Follow The Conversation

Follow the conversation and read other bloggers' Bahamian Islands Bucket Lists using the hashtag #ItsBetterInTheBahamas on Twitter.

Get More Details

Check out the (oh-so-tempting) Bahamas website to find out more about the islands. (Be forewarned, you are going to want to go!)

Could you use an escape this winter?

*Although this post has been generously sponsored by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the opinions and language are my own.

Hi! I'm Joann, a Toronto, Canada freelance writer and mother of two kids and two beagle-mix rescue pups. Inspiration is all around us, but how often do we miss it as we speed through our days crossing things off our lists? Grab a cup of tea and join me in exploring the art in everyday life, including diy, decor, books and lots of easy-to-make, family-friendly vegan food.